The Plan
The plan for the new Welbeck Meadows ‘all-through’ school is a comprehensive initiative designed to extend the success of Welbeck Primary into secondary and ultimately post-16 education, all within the Meadows district of Nottingham. Wolfgang Buttress’ Studio, which has worked collaboratively with the school since 2019, has a key role in supporting the project. It is expressing the creative vision of Welbeck Meadows through helping write and form the arts curriculum; and it has a creative lead on the architecture, interior architecture, branding and landscape of the new Welbeck Meadows School.
The core of the plan involves transforming the existing Welbeck Primary site at Kinglake Place in the Meadows (NG2 1NT) to accommodate a new secondary school, while also enhancing the existing primary school facilities. The total estimated cost for this project is £30 million. This investment will provide state-of-the-art teaching spaces, along with dedicated areas for performance, dance, dining, and social interaction, complemented by thoughtful external landscaping.
As the project requires significant funding, the ambitious target is to secure statutory project costs from the Department for Education and aims to raise over £5 million. Already, £0.5 million has already been provided in kind by corporate partners and supporters and various fundraising strategies are in development, including marketing campaigns and targeted outreach to corporations, benefactors, and local community members.
A key aspect of the educational model is the commitment to personalised learning. Each year group in the new school will have a smaller than average cohort, with a maximum of 75 pupils. This ensures that every child receives high levels of individual attention and support. In addition to the existing 45 primary school places, an extra 30 places will be specifically offered to Year 7 pupils residing in The Meadows area, directly addressing the local need for secondary education.
Beyond statutory education delivery, which the Department for Education funds on a per-place basis, the plan emphasises enhancements to the curriculum and the development of sector-specific and vocational opportunities. This additional provision will require the supplementary funding being sought. The vision is to create a school that not only excels academically but also provides pupils with strong industry links, apprenticeships, and clear pathways to college and university, preparing them for future careers and active contributions to society.
